Cavemen finish clean sweep of conference

May 11, 2007|SCOTT DAVIDSON Tribune Staff Writer

MISHAWAKA -- Mishawaka never looked ahead throughout the Northern Indiana Conference softball season this spring. Now, the focused Cavemen can look back on and celebrate a perfect run through the tough league. Class 4-A No. 3 Mishawaka, solid in all phases of the game, handled Class 3-A No. 5 Marian 4-1 in business-like fashion to complete a clean sweep in conference play at Marian Thursday. Sarah Oppelt blasted three hits, including a pair of doubles, and Kaylin Franks took care of the pitching with a three-hitter as Mishawaka improved to 20-0 overall and finished 8-0 in NIC play. "This means hard work equals accomplishment,'' said Mishawaka coach Bob Egyhazi. "This was the girls' No. 1 goal at the start and they worked hard to reach it. "We never looked ahead and I didn't feel at ease about going undefeated until the seventh inning tonight. Everyone has produced for us. We've preached team and that's why we're at this point. We're solid in all three phases of the game right now.'' Mishawaka, whose last NIC title came in 2004, wasted no time. Oppelt cracked an RBI double in the first inning to make it 1-0. The Cavemen added a pair in the third on RBIs from Ashley Johnson and Jen Alter before another RBI single by Johnson made it 4-0 in the fifth. Marian, which has lost four in a row, scored in the fifth on a hit batter, a stolen base and a throwing error. Franks improved to 15-0 in the circle. The junior ace allowed just three hits while striking out two and walking none. "This means a lot,'' said Franks. "We all worked hard to get here. Once we started winning, we felt we had a chance to do this.'' Oppelt finished 3-4 with two runs scored. Johnson and Sarah Scanlon each added two hits. "It's an awesome feeling,'' said Oppelt of a perfect run through the balanced and tough NIC. "It hasn't hit us yet, but I'm pumped. We've played together as a team so well.'' Erika Shellen had two hits, including a double, to lead the Knights. "I commend Mishawaka for going 8-0,'' said Marian coach George Grenert. "Their pitcher does a good job moving the ball and they play excellent defense. We'll be fine if a couple players start hitting. We've scored one run in our last four games. Our pitchers have done an excellent job all year and our defense is still playing well. We just need to hit the ball better.''